IAR 39
Industria Aeronautică Română · Romania · first flew 1937 · bomber
The IAR 39 was a Romanian biplane designed and built by Industria Aeronautică Română for army cooperation and light bombing roles, representing one of the most capable indigenous Romanian aircraft of the pre-war period. It was powered by a licence-built Gnome-Rhône radial engine.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1930s Romanian biplane army cooperation and light bomber
- Single radial engine, fixed undercarriage
- Tandem open cockpits with observer gunner aft
Unequal-span biplane with a prominent radial engine, fixed undercarriage, and tandem cockpits; similar in general layout to other army cooperation biplanes of the period such as the Letov Š-328.
Specifications
- The IAR 39 has a length of 10 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.9 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 285 km/h (177 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service with the Romanian Air Force around 1938–1939, the IAR 39 equipped several squadrons and saw active service in World War II on the Eastern Front alongside German forces after Romania joined the Axis. It was progressively replaced by more modern types as the war continued.
Variants
The IAR 39 was produced in a single main configuration; some aircraft may have differed in armament or equipment fit, but no major sub-variants are documented.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with the Royal Romanian Air Force (Aeronautica Regală Română) from the late 1930s through the early years of World War II on the Eastern Front.
Related aircraft
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